**Supreme Court Upholds Suspension of Toll Collection in Kerala**
The Supreme Court has upheld the Kerala High Court’s decision to suspend toll collection at the Paliyekkara toll booth in Thrissur district, following an appeal by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). This ruling addresses concerns regarding the deteriorating condition of the Edappally–Mannuthy segment of National Highway 544, which has been plagued by severe traffic congestion.
On Tuesday evening, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran announced the dismissal of both appeals, which had been reserved for judgment the previous day. During the proceedings, the bench expressed strong criticism of the NHAI for the poor state of the roadway, which recently experienced a traffic jam lasting nearly 12 hours.
Chief Justice Gavai questioned the fairness of charging tolls under such circumstances, stating, “Why should a person pay Rs 150 if it takes 12 hours for him to get from one end of the road to the other end? A road which is expected to take one hour, it takes 11 more hours and they have to pay toll as well!” Justice Vinod Chandran echoed these sentiments, referencing media reports on the traffic issues and noting that both judges had personally encountered congestion on the route.
The Chief Justice further highlighted that the presence of potholes, gutters, and persistent traffic jams on national highways reflects a lack of efficiency. The High Court had previously suspended toll collection for four weeks on August 6, asserting that user fees cannot be justified when highway access is compromised due to inadequate maintenance and ongoing construction delays.
The High Court emphasized that since citizens are required to pay toll fees, the NHAI must ensure safe and efficient travel. The authority’s failure to maintain the road undermines public trust and invalidates its right to collect tolls. Consequently, the appeals from the NHAI and other authorities contesting the High Court’s order were dismissed.
In summary, the Supreme Court’s ruling reinforces the need for the NHAI to prioritize road maintenance and address the issues affecting travelers on National Highway 544.
**FAQ**
**Q: What was the reason for the suspension of toll collection at the Paliyekkara toll booth?**
A: The toll collection was suspended due to the poor condition of the Edappally–Mannuthy stretch of National Highway 544, which has been experiencing severe traffic congestion and maintenance issues.
